Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights for 2025/11/06. Our Hand-picked, AI-optimized system has processed and summarized 28 articles from all over the internet to bring you the latest technology news.
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Viral TikTok clips from @basincreekretirement on #TikTok depict AI-generated residents of Basin Creek Retirement Village in humorous Halloween costumes, creating a bright, feel-good world that many viewers initially believed was real. Evidence of the artificial nature comes from the creators’ disclosures that Basin Creek isn’t real, it’s fictional, and the residents, staff, and stories are produced with #AI. Examples include a woman who says she’s a ‘spice girl’ with spices taped to her chest, a man wearing watches who quips ‘I’m a waste of time,’ and another woman with a pot on her head who says ‘Oh, I’m a pot head,’ all attracting millions of views, likes, and followers. Despite the realism, this content has sparked debate about #AI-generated content and the need for clear labeling, with some praising the playful concept and others warning about deception. The case illustrates how AI-driven personas can captivate audiences on #TikTok while raising questions about authenticity, disclosure, and the future of digital entertainment #digitalethics.
Former FTC Chair @Lina Khan joins @Zohran Mamdani’s transition team, calling his victory a rebuke of outsized corporate power. She will co-lead the transition team and framed the post-election moment as New Yorkers rejecting a politics where outsized corporate power and money too often dictate policy. During her FTC tenure, Khan targeted @Amazon and @Meta as part of her ambitious #antitrust agenda. Mamdani’s transition site describes him as ‘the nation’s leading antimonopoly champion’ and the team will include @Maria Torres-Springer, @Grace Bonilla, and @Melanie Hartzog. Some business leaders, including @BillAckman, have offered to help him run the nation’s center of capitalism.
Microsoft will refund almost 3 million Australian subscribers who paid higher prices for the Copilot #AI add-on on @Microsoft 365 compared with the classic non-AI plan. The refunds cover the difference between $16-$18 per month Copilot plans and $11-$14 non-AI plans, dating back to payments after 30 November 2024, if subscribers switch to the cheaper option before end of 2025. The move follows the #ACCC’s court action accusing @Microsoft Australia of misleading customers about pricing and the availability of cheaper plans, with potential multimillion-dollar penalties if the agency prevails. @Microsoft Australia acknowledged more should have been clearer about non-AI options and said refunds reflect an effort to restore trust after the pricing controversy and the pending case, while the #ACCC chair argued that communications deprived customers of informed choices.
4. DHS offers “disturbing new excuses” to seize kids’ biometric data, expert says
The Department of Homeland Security proposes a sweeping rule to collect and store biometric data from all immigrants, including children, across their lifecycle in the immigration system, a move critics call a dangerous expansion of power over privacy and civil liberties. The rule would authorize DHS agencies to gather facial imagery, fingerprints, palm prints, iris scans, voice prints, and possibly DNA in limited circumstances, with DHS estimating annual costs of about $288.7 million and per-immigrant data-submission charges around $231.5 million, noting that only about 21% of immigrants’ data has been processed from 2020 to 2024. Critics led by @Jennifer Lynch of the Electronic Frontier Foundation warn the plan would let the government track people over time, map families and communities, and chill speech, while also raising concerns about data-security risks for children and the potential for misuse by authorities. DHS says the move could help identify unaccompanied minors or those crossing with a stranger and aligns with a goal to secure the border, but opponents warn that past failures to protect biometric data and the breadth of data collection pose serious risks. The article frames this as a major #biometrics expansion affecting immigrants and sponsors alike, prompting questions about safeguards, oversight, and how the data would be used over a person’s lifetime under the current administration.
5. xAI Employees Were Reportedly Compelled to Give Biometric Data to Train Anime Girlfriend
xAI allegedly compelled employees to surrender biometric data to train AI avatars, including Ani, an anime-style AI girlfriend. At an April staff meeting, a company lawyer announced that facial likenesses and voices would be collected, and employees had previously signed a form granting xAI a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, sub-licensable, royalty-free license to use their likeness. A note a week later stated that AI Tutors would actively participate in gathering data, making such data collection a job requirement to advance xAI’s mission and effectively removing opt-out options. Three months later, xAI launched two avatars including Ani, reportedly overseen by @ElonMusk, with users able to pose the character in lingerie or prompt sexual content; tutors were also asked to open personal accounts with @OpenAI, @Replit, and @Bolt to gather responses from other models, underscoring ethical and legal questions around biometric data use #biometricdata #AItraining.
6. Why DJI drones might be banned in the US
The United States appears poised to ban @DJI drones over #nationalSecurity concerns, with rules that could remove devices from shelves and prohibit use of already purchased models. Evidence includes @DJI being placed on the US Department of Commerce ‘#entityList’ in 2020, and the FCC gaining power to retroactively cut off products on its ‘#coveredList’, threatening December 23 shelf losses and broader use bans. Analysis notes that while no smoking gun proof of spying has emerged, regulators argue the drones could enable data collection from US critical infrastructure, given China’s #NationalIntelligenceLaw (2017) and the 2021 #CyberVulnerabilityReportingLaw, plus risks of #dataEgress when UAS are controlled by smartphones. Linking back to impact, a ban would hit hobbyists, creators and public safety operators hard, given @DJI’s market dominance (about 77% of the US drone market) and devices like the Mini 4 Pro, Avata 2 and Neo, plus the 2025 Mavic 4 Pro’s reported 25-mile range.
7. ‘Mind-captioning’ AI decodes brain activity to turn thoughts into text — Nature
A multidisciplinary team led by neuroscientists and engineers has developed a technique dubbed “mind-captioning,” which uses non-invasive brain-imaging (fMRI) combined with #AI models to generate natural-language sentences describing what someone is seeing or imagining. In tests, participants were shown video clips or asked to recall scenes while their brain activity was recorded; the system output text that matched the scenes with surprising accuracy. The method relies on mapping patterns of brain activation to semantic embeddings of visual or imagined content, then decoding those embeddings into fully-formed captions. While promising for understanding human perception and building assistive tech for non-verbal individuals, researchers caution that current accuracy is context-limited, requires bulky machinery, and still falls short of reliably decoding free-thought. Ethical and privacy concerns loom large given the possibility of reading internal mental states without explicit communication.
Definition: Mind-Captioning
Mind-captioning refers to the process of interpreting neural activity—such as brain-imaging data capturing patterns of electrical or blood-flow changes—and translating those signals into coherent textual descriptions of what a person perceives or imagines. Unlike traditional brain-computer interfaces that handle binary commands (e.g., “move cursor left”), mind-captioning aims to reconstruct complex, nuanced cognitive content (e.g., “I am looking at a red apple under a tree”). The technique typically involves training machine-learning models on paired datasets of brain-activity recordings and annotated visual or mental stimuli, then using learned mappings to generate captions from new brain-activity inputs.
8. Google Maps adds chat feature powered by AI to enhance navigation
Google Maps introduced a new AI-powered chat feature that allows users to interact conversationally with the app to get directions, recommendations, and real-time information. The feature leverages advanced artificial intelligence to provide personalized and context-aware responses, improving user experience by making navigation more intuitive. Google emphasized the integration of AI to help users explore locations, find nearby amenities, and plan trips efficiently using natural language queries. This advancement reflects Google’s continued investment in #artificialintelligence and conversational technology to enhance everyday tools. The update positions Google Maps as not only a navigation system but also a smart assistant for travel and local discovery.
9. Several airlines cut flights ahead of possible government shutdown
Airlines including Delta, American, and Southwest have reduced flights in anticipation of a potential U.S. government shutdown, which could affect the FAA’s ability to manage air traffic operations effectively. The cuts serve as a precaution to avoid delays and disruptions since the FAA might lack funding to operate fully during a shutdown. These reductions highlight the impact of government funding uncertainties on the aviation industry and passenger travel plans. Airlines are proactively minimizing risk to ensure safety and operational stability amid political gridlock. This situation underscores the interconnectedness of federal funding and national transportation infrastructure reliability.
10. Google and Epic reach settlement in antitrust lawsuit – Liliputing
The settlement between @Google and @Epic ends a five-year antitrust dispute by amending the judge’s prior order and moving toward changes to the @PlayStore. It requires @Google to stop sharing @PlayStore revenue with other app stores, bans exclusivity deals to launch first or exclusively in the @PlayStore (though Android-first before iOS can be negotiated), prohibits requiring Play Store-distributed apps to have all the same features as those from other channels, and allows OEMs/carriers to preinstall the Play Store while not blocking third-party app stores. A new ‘#RegisteredAppStore’ framework would let Google certify third-party stores that meet safety criteria, with a review process that Google may charge fees for; fees are capped at 20% for in-game purchases including loot boxes and power‑level boosts, 9% for other in‑app purchases, and would likely be higher when @GooglePlay billing (5%) or third-party billing takes cuts. The changes are proposed to last through 2032 and would apply globally, with rollout possible later this year and the broader system likely available with Android 17 next year, aiming to boost competition while maintaining user safety.
Microsoft shifted its Xbox exclusives to include non-console platforms after pressure from PlayStation’s competitive stance, impacting Xbox’s exclusivity strategy. PlayStation capitalized on this by leveraging its strength in cloud gaming and PC cross-buy options, providing gamers more flexible access to titles. The move pushed Microsoft to rethink its approach, focusing on broader accessibility rather than strict exclusivity to maintain competitiveness. PlayStation’s strategy challenges Xbox by enhancing player choice through cloud and PC integration, potentially shaping the future landscape of gaming availability. This shift highlights evolving tactics among major players, with Microsoft adapting to a market influenced heavily by Sony’s innovations and consumer preferences.
12. OpenAI seeks government backing to boost AI investments
OpenAI is seeking government backing to help fund its massive AI computing expansion, potentially exceeding US$1 trillion in infrastructure, by securing loan guarantees that would lower borrowing costs. At a Wall Street Journal conference, CFO @Sarah Friar said federal guarantees could attract banks, private equity, and perhaps government involvement, and would reduce financing costs by letting lenders borrow at lower rates. The government would absorb losses if the company defaulted, expanding the pool of lenders beyond those limited by high risk and unlocking more funds for OpenAI and its investors. OpenAI has already committed to approximately US$1 trillion in infrastructure deals this year, including a US$300 billion partnership with @Oracle and a US$500 billion Stargate project with @Oracle and @SoftBank, while revenues are in the tens of billions and cannot fully cover the computing costs. The move underscores the tension between rapid AI infrastructure spending and sustainable financing, as OpenAI prioritizes growth and says an IPO is not on the cards right now.
13. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang says China will win AI race with US, FT reports
Nvidia CEO @JensenHuang expressed confidence that #China will surpass the US in the global #AI race, according to reports by the Financial Times. He cited China’s vast manufacturing ecosystem, government support, and massive data availability as key advantages. Huang highlighted China’s ability to rapidly deploy AI technologies and the strategic prioritization of AI development by Chinese authorities. This perspective contrasts with common views emphasizing US leadership in AI innovation. Huang’s remarks underscore the shifting dynamics in AI competition and suggest China is poised to lead in the technology sector.
14. Whoops: Your ‘Smart’ Vacuum May Be Broadcasting A 3D Map Of Your Home
Smart vacuums may broadcast a 3D map of your home, raising privacy concerns for everyday #IoT devices. Regulation is fragmented, with no federal oversight for vacuum makers; the California Consumer Privacy Act (#CCPA) may apply, though enforcement and private actions are limited after data breaches. Even if the data isn’t personally identifiable, it can reveal space dimensions and movement patterns, and what the device infers about your living area, creating risk if hacked or misused. The piece argues that controlling the device and combining its data could expose sensitive details, such as a secret panic room, and warns that future exploitation is possible. It concludes that devices should avoid broadcasting unnecessary data and calls for more privacy-conscious design and awareness, while recognizing the limits of current regulation and the need for stronger privacy safeguards.
15. Canada to Poach H-1B Visa Holders and International Researchers
Canada is implementing policies aimed at attracting H-1B visa holders and international researchers from the United States to bolster its innovation sector. By offering streamlined immigration pathways and incentives, the Canadian government seeks to address domestic shortages of skilled labor in research and technology fields. This strategy capitalizes on current U.S. visa restrictions and delays that discourage foreign talent from staying in America, creating an opportunity for Canada to enhance its global competitiveness in science and technology. The shift challenges U.S. leadership in innovation by drawing critical human capital northward. Overall, Canada’s targeted recruitment underscores the importance of immigration policies in shaping the global distribution of advanced research expertise.
16. Texas schools are using AI to screen library books under new state law
Texas school boards are turning to AI to screen library book purchases under #SB13, aiming to speed approvals while ensuring compliance. In Pearland ISD, @ChatGPT flagged 57 titles on a 1,400-title list, including a graphic Lord of the Flies adaptation and books with queer in the title, with other districts like Katy ISD, Leander ISD, and New Braunfels ISD also using AI tools and sometimes employing the Dallas startup #Bookmarked to review titles. Proponents say the technology can reduce librarian workload and help weed out potentially inappropriate content, while critics warn that AI can miss context and lead to over-censorship, potentially dehumanizing stories about controversial topics. The experience illustrates the push-pull of SB13 in practice, balancing efficiency with concerns about community context and access to diverse ideas.
17. Hyundai AutoEver America Data Breach Exposes SSNs, Drivers Licenses
Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach impacting up to 391,000 individuals as unauthorized parties gained access to sensitive data including Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses. The breach occurred due to a compromise of a third-party SaaS provider used by Hyundai AutoEver, which allowed attackers to infiltrate the company’s network between December 2022 and February 2023. Once detected, Hyundai AutoEver took immediate measures by shutting down affected systems, launching an investigation, and notifying potentially impacted individuals while offering credit monitoring services. This incident highlights the ongoing risks organizations face from third-party service vulnerabilities and underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures across all supply chain elements. Customers affected by the breach are advised to remain vigilant for any suspicious activity and take protective actions to safeguard their personal information.
18. Chinese EV maker Xpeng to launch robotaxis, humanoid robots with self-developed AI chips
Xpeng is expanding beyond cars to robotaxis and humanoid robots, announcing plans to test robotaxis in Guangzhou and other Chinese cities next year and to mass-produce a second-generation Iron humanoid by 2026 #robotaxi. The robotaxi models will run on four self-developed \”Turing\” AI chips, claimed to deliver 3,000 TOPS, powering the vision-language-action (#VLA) model, with Alibaba’s AutoNavi and Amaps backing the mapping for the service. The company positions itself as more than a carmaker, with a two-tier strategy for robotaxi vehicles—commercial self-driving shared cars and fully autonomous personal cars shared within families—reflecting a broader push into #AI-driven mobility. The Iron humanoid’s mass production target and its first roles as tour guides and sales assistants in Xpeng facilities reflect cost concerns for household or factory use, as CEO He Xiaopeng noted, indicating a phased rollout. The move mirrors @Tesla’s robotaxi push and comes as competing Chinese players like Pony.ai, WeRide, and Baidu expand, with regulatory timelines and computing power shaping how a global rollout unfolds.
Gen Z is increasingly turning to #YouTube and #TikTok for entertainment and news, with 43% choosing these platforms over traditional TV or paid streaming, a finding from Activate Consulting’s Technology & Media Outlook 2026 presented by @Michael Wolf at WSJ Tech Live. The same outlook highlights the rise of #microdramas—1 to 2 minute scripted episodes—that now reach about 28 million U.S. adults, 52% of whom are 18 to 34. Projections show global internet and media revenue rising by $388 billion by 2029, with streaming revenues expanding 18 to 19 percent annually while traditional TV declines 4 to 6 percent. Consumers spend a 32 hour 17 minute day multitasking online and over 13 hours daily on media via platforms such as Instagram, X and TikTok, reinforcing the shift toward rapid, platform native content. In response, companies like @Amazon are expanding video content and Spotify is moving into audiobooks, signaling how the industry is adapting to microdramas and short form formats.
20. New bipartisan bill would require companies to report AI job losses
Publicly traded companies, certain private firms, and federal agencies would be required to submit quarterly reports to the @Labor Department detailing AI-related workforce changes, including layoffs, hires, retraining, or reduced hiring. The department would compile these data into a publicly available report to show how #AI is affecting employment. @Mark Warner and @Josh Hawley say the measure would ‘finally give us a clear picture of AI’s impact on the workforce,’ guiding policy to ensure AI drives opportunity while protecting workers. Some experts warn of significant displacement, with @Dario Amodei of #Anthropic suggesting AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs and push unemployment higher in the near term. Recent layoffs at Amazon, UPS, and Target totaling more than 60,000 roles illustrate ongoing workforce reductions across multiple sectors as AI adoption grows. The bill aims to illuminate AI’s workforce effects and shape policy to keep pace with technological change.
21. Space junk may have struck a Chinese crew ship in low-Earth orbit
Shenzhou 20’s return was postponed after officials said the spacecraft may have been struck by small space debris, prompting engineers to assess risks to the crew and the mission. The @ChinaMannedSpaceAgency said impact analysis and risk assessment are underway and that the November 5 reentry will be delayed to ensure safety and mission success #spaceDebris. Shenzhou 20 arrived at Tiangong in April, and Shenzhou 21 docked on Friday, temporarily increasing the station’s crew to six before the decision to postpone the departure #Tiangong #Shenzhou20. The episode underscores China’s awareness of debris hazards in orbit, including a 2023 partial power loss from debris hitting a solar panel and subsequent spacewalks to install what state media called debris protection devices #spaceDebrisProtection #SpaceOperations. Debris risk is not unique to China; the International Space Station has faced similar incidents, such as a 2021 event where a 1-millimeter fragment punched a hole in the robotic arm, demonstrating how very small objects can threaten operations #ISS.
22. Tesla’s European and Chinese customers are staying away in droves
Tesla is losing momentum in Europe and facing pressure in China as October sales fall across multiple markets, complicating investor decisions about @ElonMusk’s compensation. In Europe, October year-over-year declines include Sweden -89%, Denmark -86%, Belgium -69%, Finland -68%, Austria -65%, Switzerland -60%, Portugal -59%, Germany -54%, Norway -50%, the Netherlands -48%, the UK -47%, Italy -47%, and Spain -31%, with France up 2% thanks to a subsidy #subsidies. In China, October sales fell 9.9% year over year, underscoring headwinds even after Q3’s record volumes. The outlook is clouded by intense #EV competition from established OEMs and new Chinese startups, and by a limited product lineup beyond the Model 3 and Y, leaving the pipeline looking sparse with questions about entries like the #Roadster or #Cybercab. Potential liabilities loom, including an Autopilot wrongful-death ruling and recalls to upgrade hardware for #FSD and for door handles on the Model 3 and Y, which could hit margins. All told, these factors argue that investors should weigh profitability, risk, and Tesla’s strategic focus when evaluating whether to grant a larger stake to @ElonMusk.
23. Danish authorities in rush to close security loophole in Chinese electric buses
Authorities in Denmark are rushing to close a security loophole in hundreds of Chinese-made electric buses after it emerged that the supplier could remotely access the vehicles’ control systems. In Norway, where the same #Yutong buses operate, the public transport authority found remote access for software updates and diagnostics that could be exploited to deactivate a bus in service, prompting @Ruter to test two buses in isolation and plan stricter security requirements for future procurements. Movia, Denmark’s largest operator, runs 469 Chinese electric buses, 262 of them manufactured by #Yutong; @Jeppe_Gaard, Movia’s COO, said the issue is not unique to Chinese buses and concerns any vehicles or devices with internet-connected subsystems. Yutong says it strictly complies with applicable laws and that EU vehicle terminal data are stored at an AWS data centre in Frankfurt #AWS.
24. Moto G57 and G57 Power are now official and already on sale
Moto @Motorola has announced the Moto G57 and G57 Power, which are official and already on sale. The G57 uses the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 with 4/8/12GB of RAM and 128/256GB of storage, a 5,200 mAh battery, a 50MP main camera using Sony’s LYT-600 sensor, plus an 8MP ultrawide and an 8MP selfie camera, and it runs Android 16. It features a 6.72-inch FHD+ LCD screen with 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,050-nit brightness, Gorilla Glass 7i, an IP64 rating, and MIL-STD-810H durability testing. The Moto G57 Power follows the same core hardware but adds a 7,000 mAh battery with up to 30W charging. Prices start at €249 for the G57 (Middle East) and €279 for the G57 Power (Europe), and both come in Pantone Corsair, Fluidity, Pink Lemonade, and Regatta colors. #Snapdragon #6sGen4 #Android16 #120Hz #IP64 #MIL_STD_810H
25. Canon’s EOS R6 III arrives with 7K RAW video and 40 fps burst speeds
@Canon’s new 32.5MP EOS R6 III is a mid-range full-frame hybrid that marks a sizable step up from the R6 II with higher resolution, faster shooting, and enhanced video options. It uses a 32.5MP sensor to boost resolution and offers 40 fps bursts with the electronic shutter (12 fps with the mechanical or first-curtain shutter) and 20-frame pre-shot buffering to catch moments. It relies on @Canon’s Dual Pixel AF and AI tracking, works in low light down to -6 EV, and benefits from the latest Digic X processor with subject tracking for people, animals, and vehicles, plus a Register People Priority feature borrowed from the R5 II. In video, the R6 III can record up to 7K60 RAW light, 7K30 open gate, and 4K at 120 fps, with C-Log2 and C-Log3 and a wide range of formats, aided by a CFexpress slot for RAW and fast bursts alongside an SD UHS II slot. The body remains familiar in design, adds a CFexpress slot and improved IBIS to 8.5 stops, and is joined by the RF45mm F1.2 lens, with availability later this month at $2,799 for the body or $4,049 with the RF24.
26. Former Meta employees launch Sandbar, a new smart ring brand
Former Meta employees @Mina Fahmi and @Kirak Hong have launched Sandbar, a new smart ring brand, whose first product, the Stream, emphasizes voice notes and gesture-based music control rather than fitness tracking or AI features #smart-ring #Stream. The Stream is available for preorder at $249 and is slated to ship in summer 2026, with a companion app that can organize voice notes into reminders, calendar events, or notes, and a Pro subscription $10/month (free tier includes unlimited notes and limited chats) #privacy #notes. Unlike many wearables, it doesn’t track heart rate or steps like the Oura Ring nor is it an AI device like Bee #AI #Bee. Design-wise, Sandbar describes Stream as having an aluminum exterior, resin interior, and a glass touchpad, with rain and handwashing resistance #design. Preorders are open on Sandbar’s website.
27. Apple nears deal to pay Google $1B annually to power new Siri, report says | TechCrunch
Apple is closing in on a deal to pay @Google roughly $1B per year to power a revamped Siri with a custom version of Google’s #Gemini AI model. Bloomberg reports the model would have 1.2 trillion parameters, far exceeding Apple’s current cloud AI, which uses about 150 billion parameters and would make Google’s solution roughly eight times more capable. Apple tested models from @OpenAI and @Anthropic before choosing Google, with the Siri overhaul expected to launch next spring though plans could still change. This move signals Apple’s willingness to rely on external AI as a bridge while it builds its own capabilities, positioning #Siri for a slate of upcoming features powered by #Gemini.
28. CISA Warns of Critical CentOS Web Panel Bug Exploited in Attacks
CISA has issued a warning about a critical vulnerability in CentOS Web Panel (CWP) that is actively exploited by attackers, posing serious security risks. The flaw allows remote code execution, enabling threat actors to gain unauthorized access and control over affected systems. This vulnerability has been leveraged in various attacks, highlighting the urgency for administrators to apply patches and update their installations immediately. The advisory emphasizes the importance of timely mitigation to prevent potential breaches and system compromises. Overall, this incident underscores the ongoing risks associated with unpatched #webpanel software and the critical role of proactive security management.
That’s all for today’s digest for 2025/11/06! We picked, and processed 28 Articles. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s collection of insights and discoveries.
Thanks, Patricia Zougheib and Dr Badawi, for curating the links
See you in the next one! 🚀